[bksvol-discuss] Re: Going Going Gone?

Kim, your post brought tears to my eyes. If there are a few dozen of you out
there we’ll be OK.

And, When you’re ready, I can send you some books, one or two at first to see
how scanning is working for you. Also, I’ve learned from others what kind of
books yield cleaner scans so I’ll send you books that don’t make junk
characters and other complications to cut your teeth on.

Well, Lissi, if that isn't enough motivation to make me keep my vow to dive in,
pluck up my courage and begin scanning ASAP, I don't know what is. There are
so many excellent scanners and proofers here, and while I've primarily spent
years here learning and experiencing from the sidelines, I do most definitely
remember days brimming over with enthusiasm on this list. I began my journey
here thinking proofing was my forte, but although I did a bit of that
successfully, it has become clear that the deep need is for scanners. I was
having a discussion with one of our veteran scanners about this topic very
recently.

while I can't take up this torch immediately, I will do my absolute best to do
so in the winter months. I'll have more time, more disposable income to spend
on books when necessary), and the ability to give patient practice to learning
the craft of scanning. I have exacting standards, and want to give my very
best.

I know that this is an amazing place with plenty of amazing, supportive people,
and you guys can help me find my footing as I begin. Like Lissi, the state of
things on the checkout list is a huge concern to me, and I'd love to be able to
do my part to turn that around ASAP. I personally feel that I owe that much to
a community that has furnished me with so much amazing reading material for my
own education and great pleasure, and to all the great ladies and gents who
have shared their hard-won experience and knowledge with me as I've learned
some of the ropes.

Warmest Wishes,
Kim

On 10/30/2015 6:08 PM, Estelnalissi wrote:

Dear Booksharian Friends,

Is anyone as worried as I am about the state of the check out page? Only 2 of
the books there are available to anyone and the other 9 have holds.

The scanners we have are working hard and many of them have dedicated their
time for years scanning for people they don’t know with their only motivation
being to enrich the Bookshare library. I’m not asking that the regulars take on
the responsibility for this disaster. I’m asking if anyone knows anyone they
can inspire to Take up this important volunteer work.

I try and help by searching out books that aren’t in the collection, buying
them as cheaply as possible and mailing them to people I know will scan them. I
also buy the books that have holds for me and make the scanner’s life easier by
mailing them the books to scan and by being satisfied with the work they do and
not demanding that they be perfect or follow my personal rules beyond
Bookshare’s requirement. If a scanned book is perfect, and they never are,
then what would be the value of proofreaders? It takes careful scrutiny to find
and correct errors in well scanned books.

If we proofreaders can’t help by recruiting scanners or providing them with
books we can help by not racing to grab every available book and checking it in
lightning speed but by taking time during this crisis working on no more than a
couple of books at a time leaving other books available for other careful
proofreaders who are showing like consideration.

This isn’t any one person’s fault. The scarcity of scanners seems to be at
the core of the problem, that and the fact we have to work harder now to find
books that aren’t already in our fabulous Bookshare.

A somewhat exhausted scanner friend of mine said something pretty funny but
true.

Remember the TV show Beretta. He said:
If you don’t want to do the time,
Don’t do the crime.

The Bookshare version is:
If you don’t take the time to look,
Please don’t check out the book.

I suggest that we proofreaders be generous and actually read the books we’re
promising to tidy up by the act of checking them out.

How many people are still around who remember that we used to broadcast far
and wide, that we were deranged perfectionists? The list is so quiet now.
Nobody blows their own horn but enthusiasm and sharing accomplishments isn’t
bragging. I think it’s inspiring! Volunteers that are new here might not have
heard how we shared our journey toward improving our skills. I’ve been doing
this nonstop except for computer trouble and illness for about ten years and
I’m still reading every word of the books I proofread. When I suspect my mind’s
wandered I go back and read some pages just to be sure I didn’t drowse and miss
something. I know there are plenty of proofreaders here who do the same, but
how can they with no books to check out?

I’d also be interested to know if anyone who is new is learning to proofread
to earn credits for their membership. If so, how can they with no books to
check out? If anyone is rushing through books to get credits in time to renew
their membership I have plenty of credits I’d be glad to share so you can relax
and take your time getting to know how to proofread carefully. And remember
this list is a source of understanding and help. There are scanners and
proofreaders just waiting for a chance to answer questions from newcomers who
will gain skill and help newercomers in turn.

Oh, and we enjoyed welcoming new volunteers and celebrating their
accomplishments, so chime in and tell us you’ve arrived.

I didn’t mean to preach or wave my arms and stomp around on my soap box. I
was just shocked to see the check out down to 2 books. It’s like seeing a loved
one bleed to death.